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 Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:05 pm
In the Kingdom of Were there lived the Baker and his two daughters, Zelfina and Xiana. The sisters spent their time in the market, selling the breads, cakes, and pies their father made in their home.
Every few days Prince Marek of Were and Prince Christoph of Century walked through the market with the young Lords of their kingdoms. The four young men did such at the market in Century as well, however Xiana had never been present for those occasions.
Zelfina and Xiana watched them wistfully, wishing that they would visit, if only to purchase a snack.
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:40 pm
Xiana's heart skipped a beat, Lord Clighe was coming toward their post. He smiled at them and presented them with an ornate envelope.
"I hope you will save a dance for me." he said softly to Xiana. He returned to his group and they carried on.
The girls looked at the envelope, confused and excited.
"You open it." Xiana said and pushed it into Zelfina's hands. She tore into the envelope without hesitation and held the contents, reading silently at first, he mouth moving with the words she read. Suddenly she squealed.
"We are invited to the Castle! There is to be a Ball in honor of Prince Marek's nineteenth birthday!" Zelfina exclaimed.
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:10 pm
The girls went straight home after closing down their stand. Zelfina poured over the invitation, to their father. Xiana sat by the fireplace, feeling very troubled. What would they bring as a gift for the Prince, and how could they afford a gown for each of them? She looked at her sister, these thoughts had not yet entered her mind, so she looked to her father. He was clearly thinking along the same lines as she.
Zelfina eventually noticed that she was the only one still excited about the invitation.
"What could possibly be wrong?" she asked, looking back and forth from her sister to her father.
Xiana looked down at the floor, then caught her sister's eye. "We can't afford new dresses for both of us... So I think you should go. I'll stay home." Xiana offered.
"That is a very noble sentiment, my dear, but either you both go, or neither of you will. We will figure things out. Your mother had some nice dresses, I think you could fix them up. they should be up in a trunk in the attic." their father said. He stood up and headed out of the room.
Zelfina seemed somewhat disappointed. Xiana smiled softly at her.
"Do not worry, dear sister. I will speak to father, and you will be able to get a new dress. I will wear one of mother's dresses. It will only need to be fitted, I should be able to do that on my own." Xiana said. She stood up when she saw her father struggling with the trunk, and went to help him.
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:12 pm
Xiana sat in her room that night, she had picked out one of her mother's gowns, a blush pink dress with gold trim. She had convinced her father that they would be able to afford a new dress for Zelfina.
Her dress didn't need much work, she was about the same size her mother had been the last time the dress had been worn.
The only thing troubling her now was, what gift does one give a prince? Her only real skills were baking and painting. Perhaps she could paint, but new paints and canvas would cost her quite a bit of money.
She sighed and laid back in her bed. She tried to sleep but she couldn't stop thinking about what her family could give the prince.
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:45 pm
As the night of the Ball drew closer, the Baker's house was in a constant state of rushing about and near panic. The girls still had not thought of a gift, and Zelfina was exhausted, keeping track of the dressmaker's progress with her new gown.
While Xiana worried about the gift, her sister went over how she would put up her hair and what necklace she would wear.
With nearly two left before the ball, Xiana finally purchased canvas and paints, though she had to sell her finest pearl collar to afford them.
She took all her equipment to the top of the hill outside the city. The dusk over the castle and city was enough inspiration for her. She painted all night.
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 6:23 pm
Zelfina looked amazing in her gown, and Xiana felt under dressed by comparison. Their father carried the gift, he had framed it, wrapped it, left it on one of the long tables that were set for gifts for the prince, and had returned home.
The sisters separated once inside the ballroom in the castle, not by choice on Xiana's part, but Zelfina seemed not to be able to get away fast enough.
Xiana hoped her sister would have a good time. She herself wandered about, but was never asked to dance.
Toward the middle of the evening, gifts were brought one by one to the prince to be opened. The family that gave each gift was to step forward as the prince opened their present. When it came time for their gift to be presented, Zelfina found Xiana in the crowd, to claim credit for the gift, and to be seen by the prince.
The sisters stepped forward. Prince Marek looked up at them after unwrapping the painting. He was clearly touched, the painting was beautiful and soulful.
"Did you paint this?" he asked the girls. Xiana nodded softly. Zelfina took half a step forward and bowed.
"Your Highness, this painting I made you, was the very least I could do for you." Zelfina replied. Xiana's heart shattered. How could her sister lie to him about her painting?
The prince did not seem to believe Zelfina, though. He looked at Xiana and offered her a charming smile.
Xiana felt lifted by this. When they returned to the crowd, Zelfina disappeared again. Xiana watched the prince accept the rest of his gifts. Afterward the orchestra began to play again and couple all around the room returned to dancing.
"I hope you remebered to save that dance for me." came a voice from behind Xiana. She turned to see Lord Clighe offering his hand. Xiana hesitated, but graciously accepted him as a partner for the waltz that played.
"You are the first to ask me to dance all night." Xiana replied. Lord Clighe smiled.
"Of course, I let the gentlemen know that they weren't allowed to ask you. I did all this, not for myself mind you, but for someone special. He has had his eye on you, all this year... and I think he wants to see you." he said. They danced, and Lord Clighe revealed nothing more about this other he had mentioned.
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 6:41 pm
At the end of the waltz, Lord Clighe took Xiana's hand and lead her through a curtained archway, tended by a castle guard. Prince Marek was seated, along with the King and Queen of Century, and Prince Christoph and his wife, and Lord Valemire. They were all happy, laughing, they seemed as one family.
Prince Marek stood gracefully when he saw them enter. He crossed the room to meet them and knelt in front of Xiana, offering his hand to her. Xiana was shocked and awed by this sentiment, but she placed her hand in his, and smiled.
"It is time that I take a bride. I have looking for the last year, and I saw you in the market, and you of all others seemed to share in my favored virtues. The painting you created for me... it was the final sign. You see this Kingdom as I see it, for all it's beauty. When your sister claimed it as her own, you did not try to take the praise for yourself, because you value your family, even if it is not merited." the prince said. "I beg you be my bride, accept me as a husband."
Xiana felt blissfully dizzy. Every little girl dreams of marrying Prince Charming, but never really believes it possible. "Of course, my prince, I will marry you." she answered, as her eyes filled with tears of joy. Prince Marek stood and pulled her into their first embrace, and it was far from their last.
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